Saxony's districts want interim solution for payment card

The Saxon districts are examining the introduction of a joint payment card for refugees. This is intended as an interim solution until a joint solution across the federal states is found, said Veronika Müller, deputy managing director of the Saxon Association of Counties, on Wednesday in response to an inquiry. The so-called pocket money of the asylum seekers is to be booked onto the card. They would then be able to use the credit to make purchases in stores that accept card payments. "Among other things, there should also be options for regional restrictions."

According to a report in the "Sächsische Zeitung" newspaper, the first districts want to provide a payment card for asylum seekers living in their region before the end of this quarter. The aim is to introduce the "Saxon system" very quickly, "perhaps as early as spring", Dirk Neubauer, District Administrator of Central Saxony, told the German Press Agency. This could be used by all districts in the Free State "until there is a standardized federal system later". The topic is also about many more things than just the payment function. "It is possible to digitally map various administrative channels, such as the data collection of people."

The Free State is participating with other federal states in the development of a concept for a uniform nationwide model, which is to be presented by the end of January, according to government spokesman Ralph Schreiber. Asylum seekers in Germany are to receive at least part of their benefits as credit on a payment card in future. The use of such payment cards is intended to prevent people seeking protection from transferring money from state support in Germany to relatives and friends in their country of origin.